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Wine Guy: The gift of wine

The Wine Guy: James NevisonPhoto: Jason Payne

James Nevison

Published: December 5, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Updated: December 5, 2018 - 2:01 PM

As we launch into December, out of necessity thoughts turn to the fast-approaching holidays. ’Tis the season, after all, and this year I have nothing but the best of intentions to stay on top of the to-do list in order to take full advantage of being festive and enjoying all the merry making. So it’s time to get crossing names off the gift lists, and when it comes to spreading holiday myrrh and cheer, well it is hard to go wrong with presenting a bottle of wine. Thus kicks off part one of a two-part guide to bottled gifting.

Medici Ermete Concerto 2016 Lambrusco, Italy ($19.99, #571968)

For the open house host. Heading out to an open house or another holiday gathering? Bringing a bottle of sparkling wine is a move that never goes out of style. There’s just nothing like some sparkle to add extra fizz to the festivities. For a bit of a twist, lug along a bottle of Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The Concerto Lambrusco’s intense ruby-magenta colour will spark conversation, and its bright berry, dark fruit, and earthiness will tickle tastebuds before a refreshing finish. Just make sure you stash it in the fridge so it’s cold upon arrival, and feel free to also bring a cheese and charcuterie plate for a fantastic pairing.

For your neighbour. Have a neighbour that checks the mail or waters the plants when you are away? Or heck, just feeling neighbourly in general? A bottle of rich red is a safe bet, and a classic Australian Cabernet-Sauvignon Shiraz makes a crowd-pleasing pick. The Scribbler is family-owned Yalumba’s classic take on the blend, and the 2015 vintage brings together 63% Cab Sauv with 37% Shiraz in sumptuous harmony. Dark fruit and mocha abound in this fruit-forward, bold wine that concludes with a fulsome finish featuring a lick of pepper spice.

For the savvy B.C. oenophile. Have a friend who’s really into wine and looking for something unique and different? It may be a bit harder to find but it’s worth the hunt to locate a bottle of Dolcetto from Stag’s Hollow. Dolcetto is a grape typically found in Piedmont in Northern Italy, but it has also found a home in Okanagan Falls, specifically in Stag’s Hollow’s Shuttleworth Creek vineyard. True to form, this Dolcetto comes across juicy and soft (the grape name means “little sweet one” in Italian and is known for having lower levels of acidity), with fresh red fruit and an overall easygoing stance. Bottled unfined and unfiltered after maturing in concrete tanks and neutral barrels, this is one fun wine for the holidays!

Bottom line: B+ “Festive red.”

The Swirl: Advance tickets to the Vancouver International Wine Festival

Another gift idea that is sure to please the wine lover on your list? An outing to the big show, which in the wine world means the Vancouver International Wine Festival. The next festival takes place Feb. 23 to March 3 and features 160 wineries from 15 countries. Advance tickets to many main events are on sale now (prices vary depending on day, advance ticket prices run until December 15). For complete details head to www.vanwinefest.ca.